Strong sales of the New Nintendo 3DS – coupled with a handful of major software launches – saw Sony lose its spot atop the United States hardware charts in February, but it still managed to keep hold of its console crown. According to the latest NPD report, the PlayStation 4 was the best selling console nationwide last month – and it also moved more software than all of its competitors, too.
This success was underlined by The Order: 1886, which debuted in ninth position in the best selling software list. Given that Ready at Dawn's alternate history escapade launched on 20th February, it only had eight days to grab that slot. It's worth noting, however, that new multiformat releases like Evolve and Dragon Ball XenoVerse both charted higher than the heavily publicised exclusive, finishing in second and seventh respectively.
It was actually a much better month for the industry as a whole, with overall income up eight per cent year-over-year, totalling $955.6 million. Hardware sales contributed $378.2 million to that total, up 10 per cent compared to February 2014. Software was also up seven per cent year-over-year, hitting $338.9 million. This was in spite of collapsing PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sales, which collectively fell by a whopping 41 per cent.
"Demand for the PS4 remains incredibly strong in the US as it was number one in hardware-and-software sales in February, according to the latest NPD report," a Sony spokesperson said with a hint of spin. "PS4 remains the cumulative leader in hardware sales with more than 20.2 million units sold to consumers worldwide, demonstrating the fastest growth in PlayStation hardware history."
To be honest, it's hard to see the Japanese giant's grasp on the home console market slipping in March, with Bloodborne and MLB 15 The Show both likely to be big hardware drivers towards the end of the busy month. Things have definitely been a little more competitive in the all-important American market since Christmas, but we reckon that Sony will be very pleased with how the PS4's performing – especially seeing as it's currently flogging the most expensive box.
Top Ten Physical Retail Releases: February 2015
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS)
- Evolve (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
- Dying Light (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)
- Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3)
- NBA 2K15 (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360)
- Dragon Ball: Xenoverse (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360)
- Minecraft (360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4)
- The Order: 1886 (PS4)
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (3DS)
[source venturebeat.com, via neogaf.com]
Comments 21
Nice to see that there is still a market for dedicated handhelds. I think it would have been a disaster if The Order: 1886 didn't chart, so I guess that's good news, too. I think Bloodborne will do well in March, though there's much more competition. MLB should do well, too, but it's out RIGHT at the end of the month, so that may impact its chart position a bit.
That GIF...
Fps seem to sell better on xbox while ps4 users buy more rpg/sandboxes/open world.
@arnoldlayne83 Yeah, that's definitely an emerging trend, isn't it? I think when you look at the money Microsoft pumps into Call of Duty and Halo, though, it probably makes sense. Evolve was co-marketed on Xbox One, too.
So no real numbers again each month from NPD this Gen then? Hmm strange it happens when the PlayStation Brand is beating the MS(USA!,USA!,USA!) Xbox brand. Because NPD couldn't wait last Gen each month to show the World the Xbox 360 sales numbers as it beat the PS3 all the time. Odd that.
Well done PS4/SONY anyway
I think it's impressive that Dragon Ball XenoVerse appears to be doing so well worldwide. It's still in the Japanese charts, and entered quite high in the UK. For a licensed anime/manga-based game, that's pretty great.
@Carl-G It's down to the manufacturers to release NPD numbers if they choose to, and Sony never does.
Not only did that Gif make me laugh, it made my wife and daughter laugh as well ! Thank you for that Sammy
Trust you guys to downplay the order 1886 hard
Monster Hunter on top 10? Oh god! Amazing!
Delighted to see Majora's Mask topping the charts. It's always been a bit of a black sheep, loved by Zelda fans but not never given a try by others despite the people who like it obsessing with it (guilty). Cracking game.
Got to admit I'm surprised at The Order. I expected it to be higher because of its advertising so I'm glad it's not, thanks to people actually realising what a bore and how little you get for you money it is. If they give out charts for game rentals I fully expect The Order to top that by a country mile. It really is best as that rather than spending hard earned money on something that you'll never touch again. That game really should have launched with PS Now as it could have made a killing while showing off the service.
@ShogunRok Dragon Ball games to my knowledge always sell very well. It kinda helps that Xenoverse is trying some new things for the series, which helps sell it to people who might have stopped playing the other recent Dragon Ball Games.
Also, Dragon Ball is having a big year with a new movie arriving in Japan and the Buu Saga of Kai arriving in North America later this year. Over the last few years, Dragon Ball has seen a resurgence with Kai and several new movies brining it back into the public eye alongside newer popular Anime like Naruto and One Piece.
I wonder if Xenoverse will outsell the Budokai games. I have not seen so much hype surround a Dragon Ball game since Budokai 3.
Wow at Majora Mask wrecking everything in sight, Nintendo made such a great decision releasing it near the N3DS... Even if it not exclusive to the later.
The order... Im not sure those are good numbers at the end (you could say its a single platform, but it sold slightly more than a 3DS game about hunters and dinosaurs when your game its all about being macho and guns), that game could not be cheap, especially in thw marketing department
I like how both 3DS games released the same day get the first and last spot. GTAV and Minecraft seem to be evergreen titles.
lol that Gif/Pic all I can think is Buttstalion from Borderlands idk why...
I bet Nitnedo combines all hundred of those DS models.
Great to see Nintendo's doing well.
@Dohv You should learn how to spell "Nintendo" before making guesses.
@Storytime7 You mad ? It was just a typing error. Gosh I swear there's more Nintendo fans on this site, than PlayStation fans.
@Dohv I just don't see the point of the bitterness in your post. The 3DS family did better overall, but the PS4 still did great. Also, it's not a big deal if a few regulars on this site are not fans of Sony. NintendoLife states in the rules that you don't have to like Nintendo to post there, so I would expect it to be the same here (it being a sister-site and all). That, and just because someone criticizes Sony every now and then does not mean they hate PlayStation (I don't).
@Dohv
I don't know man, I think it's more some people are annoyed by some of what's going with Sony than being Nintendo fans. There's some huge Nintendo fans here, sure, but I'd say most of those who criticize seem more like me. PlayStation all the way but not going to just bow down to Sony over every move it makes.
Anyway, whether 3DS numbers are combined or not, it outsold PS4. Two different markets though and PS4 is still selling well which is all that matters. If PS4 sales start falling off a cliff, that's the time to worry.
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